ABSTRACT
For the typical urban dweller from temperate zones living above the Arctic circle or on the Antarctic continent, the harsh climate and continuous darkness of the winter period impose severe restrictions on work and recreational activities. This chapter presents a taxonomy of isolated microsocieties based upon similarities in group and environmental dimensions. It concerns the development of individual criterion measures for the Antarctic setting, and with the evaluation of various types of predictor information. The wide range of skill requirements in Antarctic groups results in heterogeneity in social and educational backgrounds, interests, and values. A general concept of effective individual performance evolved from these earlier studies which included three essential components: task performance, emotional stability, and social compatibility. The chapter considers some of the specific findings with respect to significant predictors of Antarctic adjustment. The Antarctic provides a useful setting for the study of behavior under conditions of long-term confinement.
